Download pictures, apps, and other files from the web

There are many types of files you can download from the web—documents, pictures, videos, apps, extensions and toolbars for your browser, to name a few. When you tap or click a file you'd like to download, Internet Explorer will ask what you want to do with the file. Here are some actions you'll be able to take, depending on the type of file you're downloading:

Open the file to view it, but don't save it to your PC.

Save the file on your PC in the default download location. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan and finishes downloading the file you can choose to open the file, the folder it's stored in, or view it in the Download Manager.

Save as a different file name, type, or download location on your PC.

Run the app, extension, or other file type. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan, the file will open and run on your PC.

Cancel the download and go back to browsing the web.

You can also save smaller files—like single pictures—to your PC: press and hold (or right-click) the picture, link, or file you want to save, and then choose Save picture. If you're using Internet Explorer in the desktop, right–click the picture or link, and choose Save picture as or Save target as.

Find files you've downloaded on your PC

Download Manager keeps track of pictures, documents, and other files you download from the web. Files you've downloaded are automatically saved in the Downloads folder. This folder is usually located on the drive where Windows is installed (for example, C:\users\your name\downloads). You can always move downloads from the Downloads folder to other places on your PC. To view files you've downloaded while using Internet Explorer, do this:

On the Start screen, tap or click Internet Explorer to open Internet Explorer.

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or right–click) to bring up the app commands.

Tap or click the Page tools button , and tap or click View downloads. Select the download you want and then choose one of the following actions:

Tap or click Run to open and run the file you've downloaded.

Tap or click Open the program location to view where the file's stored on your PC.

Tap or click Delete program to delete the file.

Tap or click Clear to remove the file from the list of downloads.

Tap or click Clear list to remove all files from your list of downloads.

Open the desktop, and then tap or click the Internet Explorer icon on the taskbar.

Tap or click the Tools button , and then tap or click View downloads.

Change the default download folder on your PC

To change the default location where downloads are stored on your PC, do this:

Open the desktop, and then tap or click the Internet Explorer icon on the taskbar.

Tap or click the Tools button , and then tap or click View downloads.

In the View Downloads dialog box, tap or click Options in the lower left hand corner.

Choose a different default download location by tapping or clicking Browse, and then tap or click OK when you're done.

Why some files won't open in Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer uses add-ons such as the Adobe Reader to view some files in the browser. Internet Explorer is designed to be an add-on free experience, and the file might need to be opened with a different app. If you can save the file to your PC instead, you'll be able to choose which app to open it with.

If you're using Internet Explorer for the desktop, you might have an older version of the add-on that needs to be updated. Learn more about how to Manage add-ons in Internet Explorer.

About download and security warnings

When you download a file, Internet Explorer checks for clues that the download is malicious or potentially harmful to your PC. If Internet Explorer thinks a download seems suspicious, you'll be notified so you can decide whether or not to save, run, or open the file. Not all files you're warned about are malicious, but it's important to make sure you trust the site you're downloading from, and that you really want to download the file.

If you see a security warning that tells you The publisher of this program couldn't be verified, then Internet Explorer doesn't recognize the site or organization asking you to download the file. Make sure you recognize and trust the publisher before you save or open the download. Learn more about how SmartScreen helps protect you and Certificate errors that might cause you to see download warnings.

There are always risks to downloading files from the web. Here are some precautions you can take to help protect your PC when you download files:

Install and use an antivirus program.

Only download files from sites that you trust.

If the file has a digital signature, make sure that the signature is valid and the file's from a trusted location. To see the digital signature, tap or click the publisher link in the security warning dialog box that opens when you first download the file.

Download pictures, apps, and other files from the web

There are many types of files you can download from the web—documents, pictures, videos, apps, extensions and toolbars for your browser, to name a few. When you click a file you'd like to download, Internet Explorer will ask what you want to do with the file. Here are some actions you'll be able to take, depending on the type of file you're downloading:

Open the file to view it, but don't save it to your PC.

Save the file on your PC in the default download location. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan and finishes downloading the file you can choose to open the file, the folder it's stored in, or view it in the Download Manager.

Save as a different file name, type, or download location on your PC.

Run the app, extension, or other file type. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan, the file will open and run on your PC.

Cancel the download and go back to browsing the web.

You can also save smaller files—like single pictures—to your PC: right-click the picture, link, or file you want to save, and then choose Save picture as or Save target as.

Locate files you've downloaded on your PC

Download Manager keeps track of pictures, documents, and other files you download from the web. Files you've downloaded are automatically saved in the Downloads folder. This folder is usually located on the drive where Windows is installed (for example, C:\users\your name\downloads). You can always move downloads from the Downloads folder to other places on your PC. To view files you've downloaded while using Internet Explorer, do this:

Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Internet Explorer icon on the taskbar.

Click the Tools button , and then click View downloads.

Select the download you want and then choose one of the following actions:

Click Run to open and run the file you've downloaded.

Click Open the program location to view where the file's stored on your PC.

Click Delete program to delete the file.

Click Clear to remove the file from the list of downloads.

Click Clear list to remove all files from your list of downloads.

Change the default download folder on your PC

To change the default location where downloads are stored on your PC, do this:

Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Internet Explorer icon on the taskbar.

Click the Tools button , and then click View downloads.

In the View Downloads dialog box, click Options in the lower left hand corner.

Choose a different default download location by clicking Browse, and then click OK when you're done.

Why some files won't open in Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer uses add-ons such as the Adobe Reader to view some files in the browser. If a file that needs an add-on won't open, you might have an older version of the add-on that needs to be updated. Learn more about how to Manage add-ons in Internet Explorer.

About download and security warnings

When you download a file, Internet Explorer checks for clues that the download is malicious or potentially harmful to your PC. If Internet Explorer thinks a download seems suspicious, you'll be notified so you can decide whether or not to save, run, or open the file. Not all files you're warned about are malicious, but it's important to make sure you trust the site you're downloading from, and that you really want to download the file.

If you see a security warning that tells you The publisher of this program couldn't be verified, then Internet Explorer doesn't recognize the site or organization asking you to download the file. Make sure you recognize and trust the publisher before you save or open the download. Learn more about how SmartScreen helps protect you and Certificate errors that might cause you to see download warnings.

There are always risks to downloading files from the web. Here are some precautions you can take to help protect your PC when you download files:

Install and use an antivirus program.

Only download files from sites that you trust.

If the file has a digital signature, make sure that the signature is valid and the file's from a trusted location. To see the digital signature, click the publisher link in the security warning dialog box that opens when you first download the file.

Go to Download & Shop if you want to get the latest version of Internet Explorer for your operating system.

Download pictures, apps, and other files from the web

There are many types of files you can download from the web—documents, pictures, videos, apps, extensions and toolbars for your browser, just to name a few. When you tap or click a file you'd like to download, Internet Explorer will ask what you want to do with the file. Here are some actions you'll be able to take, depending on the type of file you're downloading:

Open the file to view it, but don't save it to your PC.

Save the file on your PC in the default download location. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan and finishes downloading the file you can choose to open the file, the folder it's stored in, or view it in the Download Manager.

Save as a different file name, type, or download location on your PC.

Run the app, extension, or other file type. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan, the file with start running on your PC.

Cancel the download and go back to browsing the web.

If you're using Internet Explorer for the desktop, you can also save smaller files—like single pictures—to your PC by right-clicking the picture, link, or file you want to save, and then choosing Save picture as or Save target as from the dropdown menu.

Find files you've downloaded on your PC

Download Manager keeps track of pictures, documents, and other files you download from the web. Files you've downloaded are automatically saved in the Downloads folder. This folder is usually located on the drive where Windows is installed (for example, C:\users\your name\downloads). You can always move downloads from the Downloads folder to other places on your PC.

To view files you've downloaded while using Internet Explorer, do this: open Internet Explorer for the desktop, tap or click the Tools button, and then tap or click View downloads. You'll be able to see what you've downloaded from the web, where it's stored on your PC, and choose actions to take on your downloads.

Change the default download folder on your PC

To change the default location where downloads are stored on your computer, do this:

Open Internet Explorer for the desktop.

Tap or click the Tools button, and then tap or click View downloads.

In the View Downloads dialog box, tap or click Options in the lower left hand corner.

Choose a different default download location by tapping or clicking Browse. Tap or click OK when you're done.

Learn why some files won't open in Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer uses add-ons such as the Adobe Reader to view some files in the browser. Internet Explorer 10 is designed to be an add-on free experience, and the file might need to be opened with a different app. If you can save the file to your PC instead, you'll be able to choose which app to open it with.

If you're using Internet Explorer for the desktop, you might have an older version of the add-on that needs to be updated. Learn more about how to Manage add-ons in Internet Explorer.

Learn about download warnings

When you download a file, Internet Explorer checks for clues that the download is malicious or potentially harmful to your PC. If Internet Explorer thinks a download seems suspicious, you'll be notified so you can decide whether or not to save, run, or open the file. Not all files you're warned about are malicious, but it's important to make sure you trust the site you're downloading from, and that you really want to download the file.

If you see a warning in Download Manager that tells you The publisher of this program couldn't be verified, then Internet Explorer doesn't recognize the site or organization asking you to download the file. Make sure you recognize and trust the publisher before you save or open the download. Learn more about how SmartScreen helps protect you and Certificate errors that might cause you to see download warnings.

Go to Download & Shop if you want to get the latest version of Internet Explorer for your operating system.

Download pictures, apps, and other files from the web

There are many types of files you can download from the web—documents, pictures, videos, apps, extensions and toolbars for your browser, just to name a few. When you click a file you'd like to download, Internet Explorer will ask what you want to do with the file. Here are some actions you'll be able to take, depending on the type of file you're downloading:

Open the file to view it, but don't save it to your PC.

Save the file on your PC in the default download location. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan and finishes downloading the file you can choose to open the file, the folder it's stored in, or view it in the Download Manager.

Save as a different file name, type, or download location on your PC.

Run the app, extension, or other file type. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan, the file with start running on your PC.

Cancel the download and go back to browsing the web.

You can also save smaller files—like single pictures—to your PC by right-clicking the picture, link, or file you want to save, and then choosing Save picture as or Save target as from the dropdown menu.

Find files you've downloaded on your PC

Download Manager keeps track of pictures, documents, and other files you download from the web. Files you've downloaded are automatically saved in the Downloads folder. This folder is usually located on the drive where Windows is installed (for example, C:\users\your name\downloads). You can always move downloads from the Downloads folder to other places on your PC.

To view files you've downloaded while using Internet Explorer, do this: open Internet Explorer for the desktop, click the Tools button, and then click View downloads. You'll be able to see what you've downloaded from the web, where it's stored on your PC, and choose actions to take on your downloads.

Change the default download folder on your PC

To change the default location where downloads are stored on your computer, do this:

Open Internet Explorer for the desktop.

Click the Tools button, and then click View downloads.

In the View Downloads dialog box, click Options in the lower left hand corner.

Choose a different default download location by clicking Browse, and click OK when you're done.

Learn why some files won't open in Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer uses add-ons such as the Adobe Reader to view some files in the browser. If Internet Explorer can't open the file, you might have an older version of the add-on that needs to be updated. Learn more about how to Manage add-ons in Internet Explorer.

Learn about download warnings

When you download a file, Internet Explorer checks for clues that the download is malicious or potentially harmful to your PC. If Internet Explorer thinks a download seems suspicious, you'll be notified so you can decide whether or not to save, run, or open the file. Not all files you're warned about are malicious, but it's important to make sure you trust the site you're downloading from, and that you really want to download the file.

If you see a warning in Download Manager that tells you The publisher of this program couldn't be verified, then Internet Explorer doesn't recognize the site or organization asking you to download the file. Make sure you recognize and trust the publisher before you save or open the download. Learn more about how SmartScreen helps protect you and Certificate errors that might cause you to see download warnings.

Go to Download & Shop if you want to get the latest version of Internet Explorer for your operating system.

Download pictures, apps, and other files from the web

There are many types of files you can download from the web—documents, pictures, videos, apps, extensions and toolbars for your browser, just to name a few. When you click a file you'd like to download, Internet Explorer will ask what you want to do with the file. Here are some actions you'll be able to take, depending on the type of file you're downloading:

Open the file to view it, but don't save it to your PC.

Save the file on your PC in the default download location. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan and finishes downloading the file you can choose to open the file, the folder it's stored in, or view it in the Download Manager.

Save as a different file name, type, or download location on your PC.

Run the app, extension, or other file type. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan, the file with start running on your PC.

Cancel the download and go back to browsing the web.

You can also save smaller files—like single pictures—to your PC by right-clicking the picture, link, or file you want to save, and then choosing Save picture as or Save target as from the dropdown menu.

Find files you've downloaded on your PC

Download Manager keeps track of pictures, documents, and other files you download from the web. Files you've downloaded are automatically saved in the Downloads folder. This folder is usually located on the drive where Windows is installed (for example, C:\users\your name\downloads). You can always move downloads from the Downloads folder to other places on your PC.

To view files you've downloaded while using Internet Explorer, do this: open Internet Explorer for the desktop, click the Tools button, and then click View downloads. You'll be able to see what you've downloaded from the web, where it's stored on your PC, and choose actions to take on your downloads.

Change the default download folder on your PC

To change the default location where downloads are stored on your computer, do this:

Open Internet Explorer for the desktop.

Click the Tools button, and then click View downloads.

In the View Downloads dialog box, click Options in the lower left hand corner.

Choose a different default download location by clicking Browse, and click OK when you're done.

Learn why some files won't open in Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer uses add-ons such as the Adobe Reader to view some files in the browser. If Internet Explorer can't open the file, you might have an older version of the add-on that needs to be updated. Learn more about how to Manage add-ons in Internet Explorer.

Learn about download warnings

When you download a file, Internet Explorer checks for clues that the download is malicious or potentially harmful to your PC. If Internet Explorer thinks a download seems suspicious, you'll be notified so you can decide whether or not to save, run, or open the file. Not all files you're warned about are malicious, but it's important to make sure you trust the site you're downloading from, and that you really want to download the file.

If you see a warning in Download Manager that tells you The publisher of this program couldn't be verified, then Internet Explorer doesn't recognize the site or organization asking you to download the file. Make sure you recognize and trust the publisher before you save or open the download. Learn more about how SmartScreen helps protect you and Certificate errors that might cause you to see download warnings.

Go to Download & Shop if you want to get the latest version of Windows Internet Explorer for your operating system.

Download pictures, apps, and other files from the web

There are many types of files you can download from the web—documents, pictures, videos, apps, extensions and toolbars for your browser, just to name a few. When you click a file you'd like to download, Internet Explorer will ask what you want to do with the file. Here are some actions you'll be able to take, depending on the type of file you're downloading:

Find a program to open the file with on your PC.

Open the file to view it, but don't save it to your PC.

Save the file on your PC in the default download location. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan and finishes downloading the file you can choose to open the file, the folder it's stored in, or view it in the Download Manager.

Run the app, extension, or other file type. After Internet Explorer runs a security scan, the file with start running on your PC.

Cancel the download and go back to browsing the web.

You can also save smaller files—like single pictures—to your PC by right-clicking the picture, link, or file you want to save, and then choosing Save Picture As or Save Target As from the dropdown menu. You can change the file name and choose where you'd like to save the file on your PC.

Learn why some files won't open in Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer uses add-ons such as the Adobe Reader to view some files in the browser. If Internet Explorer can't open the file, you might have an older version of the add-on that needs to be updated. Learn more about how to Manage add-ons in Internet Explorer.

Learn about download warnings

When you download a file, Internet Explorer runs a security scan to check for clues that the download is malicious or potentially harmful to your PC. If Internet Explorer thinks a download seems suspicious, you'll be notified so you can decide whether or not to save, run, or open the file. Not all files you're warned about are malicious, but it's important to make sure you trust the site you're downloading from, and that you really want to download the file.